Camp at Ewesley Station. Photo by Harry Rowland.

(Centred NZ 05849268) Camp. (1)

Roughly circular enclosure with single rampart enclosing approx two acres. (2)

An elliptical camp, 135yds by 110yds, with a single ditch, situated a little north of Ewesley on the west side of the Alemouth road. (3)

This earthwork is situated a little above the 600ft contour and astride a ridge running downhill from west to east. The site commands a good view along the valley of the river Font to the north west and north east but is overlooked at fairly close range by the higher ground to the south west. Oval in shape the enclosure is bounded by a ditch with strong outer bank. There is a causewayed entrance on the west side, with other gaps in the outer bank being the result of modern mutilation. The interior of the work has been ridge and furrow ploughed and no traces of occupation are visible. A stream immediately to the south forms a convenient water supply. The situation and construction of the earthwork indicate that it is not defensive in character. Its purpose appears to have been to contain rather than exclude and it is possible that it served as a large stock enclosure. There is no evidence for dating. (4)

The place of the poorly preserved site at Ewesley Station, like that of Stots Plantation
(NY 906799) is problematical, both by consideration of their situation, and their possession of an internal ditch and external mound. In both cases, however, there are points which would rule against any 'henge-like' function being attributed to them. (5)

The primary feature of the work is the ditch. This is particularly apparent around the northern arc where it averages 5m in width from 0.5m to 1m in depth (see photographs). In the south, the outer, or upcast bank, is stronger (approximately 5m wide and 1m high) with a trace in places of an outer berm and the ditch takes on more of a quarry aspect. Situated as it is astride a ridge, there is no inter-visibility north-south of the enclosure, and little improvement east-west: it is impossible to say whether the well-defined western entrance was originally duplicated in the east owing to the intrusion of the railway. Neither this site, nor Stots Plantation (NY 97 NW) fits into the context of the few accredited stock enclosures in the County. These are tentatively assigned to the Iron Age, but are formed by bank and outer ditch in typical fashion. Published survey (25 inch) revised. (6)

Sub-oval enclosure, surviving as an earthwork. External diameter c.140m x 130m, diameter c.102m x 116m. Bank up to 1m high and 5m wide. Ditch c.5m wide and 1m deep. Insufficient information available, but unlikely to belong to the henge class, probably domestic or defended site. Surveyed by Northumberland Archaeological Group in 1977. (7)

Included in countryside Stewardship as in-bye pasture with open access in 1993. (8)

NZ 058 927. Camp at Ewesley station. Scheduled No ND/388. (9a)